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Blood Pressure tablets

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birdofprey | 09:44 Sat 29th Aug 2009 | Health & Fitness
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It is looking increasingly likely that I shall have to take medication to control my BP.

I am only fifty and do not really wish to have to take these for the rest of my life.

Is it possible to stop taking them once you have started.

I have tried natural methods of getting my pressure down but it has been between 90 & 105 consistently (lower reading).

If I start taking medication but carry on losing weight and controlling my diet is it likely to be possible to be weaned off the medication?
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Face the facts....your diastolic readings are high and you will have to take BP lowering tablets for the rest of your life.

What is the big deal?

Lose weight by all means, exercise, change your lifestyle, but you must still continue with your medication.
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"What is the big deal?"

Quite a lot actually

I need to find out more about the long-term side effects of taking the tablets for a start.
Find out the long term effects of NOT taking the tablets....THAT is the big deal.
Find out which tablets you are being prescribed and then google them and you will find plenty of information about possible side effects.

The leaflet in the packet will also tell you.

So will your doctor if you ask.
I have to take tablets for my BP, no big deal at all. I have had no side effects, and I feel much less at risk of becoming ill. It doesn't matter what age you are, just remember your health comes first.
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better to know that you have high blood pressure and to take tablets to control it than not know and suffer a stroke or something.
if you lose a fair amount of weight if you are very overweight,and do plenty of exercise, you can certainly reduce your blood pressure but probably not enough to stop taking medication to control it. in my experience, a change of diet, particularly the recommended reduction of salt in the diet, has very little effect on blood pressure. also, there are many people who are very slim, active and eat a healthy diet who still have high blood pressure.
Once started you are usually hooked for life.

Its a well known fact that some people suffer from Doctor white coat syndrone which can push up your BP while in surgery.

Why not invest in one of those personal BP machines and regularly take a reading throughout the day. You will find it will show different readings depending on factors.

Some people have been known to control their BP by bio-feedback. Worth looking up on the subject.
I've been taking them for years.
Considering the alternatives, I hope to be taking them for many years to come.
2 little tablets once a day, no side effects and peace of mind (in my case )
rov......

Once started you are usually hooked for life.

Don't understand that statement, as BP tablets are not drugs of addiction, nobody is going to force you to take them, if one is unhappy taking them, then one just stops.
Fluctuating blood pressure is just as bad as high blood pressure and if you ever need to have an elective surgical procedure you run the risk of not being passed as fit by the pre-assessment team if you do not have your BP controlled.

Your GP can best advise you.
If you do decide to take tablets to control your blood pressure - depending on the medication you will note a whole list of possible side effects pertaining to that medication; in the literature with the medication .

I wouldn't let that worry you .
The manufacturer has to list all known possible side effects - but it does not mean that you will suffer any of the side effects listed . ( just look at the literature with, for example paracetamol - if you dwell on the possible side effects , you would never take any pain relief tablets )

If you do suffer symptoms , then discuss it with your GP, who should then change the tablets , until a suitable one is identified , with minimal or no side effects

Most people are aware of the most common consequences of uncontrolled high BP - but it can also affect things like kidney function .

Better to be safe than sorry
I am 86,and have to take tablets for a medical condition (not high BP).
These tablets have a slightly nasty side effect,BUT the effect of not taking them is,I would be dead!
So,I know which I would choose.
Just ask yourself this question:

How many people are taking BP medication because they visited the doctor 3 times and found their BP was high. (the usual method). Many patients suffer from white coat syndrome. They would not be hooked in the usual sense but compare this with having to start using reading glasses. There is usually no return unless of course you go for laser tratment. The same for BP tablets your body depends on them.
rov...nonsense.

The patient goes to the Dr three times and his BP is high, how do you know it is due to "White Coat Syndrome and not hypertension? You don't. Do you assume it IS due to WCS?...You do at your peril.

Incidentally, this "White Coat Syndrome" is indeed an entity, but is a card that is overplayed.

You ignore the high BP, do not treat it and the patient has a much higher risk of stroke and heart attack....nice move.
Squad I am talking through personal experience about mis diagnosis of high BP. Every time he had it checked with the doctor is was extremely high but in disbelief he tested it with one of those home kits which showed it to be normal.

Some people owe their lives to BP tablets but there is a minority who could have existed without them.

My wife has taken them for over 10 years now and she dependent on them. The latest types are very good at stabilising her BP.
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Why not have your BP tested at a NHS Walk in centre or at a pharmacy .

By the way some of these ' watch type ' home kits are not accurate - go for the type that is used by your GP

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